In the 1980s and 1990s, Filipinos living in East Los Angeles also developed an affinity for the cholo culture.

But just as the Chicano culture has made its way to Japan, it has also allowed U.S. record labels a new market in which to promote their cholo/a artists.

Jaime Diaz, President and CEO of Urban Kings Music Group, recently told OC Weekly, ‘Japan has been more of an avenue for profit. We distribute to stores out there and it helps us out a lot. Japan will be the first place to buy product from independent artists.’

Japanese cholo artists have even taken on names like EL LATINO, GARCiA, and EL-REY.

Who knew East Asia would be the new home of the cholo? Or is it J-Cholo?

Check out some of the photos collected by the team over at POCHO below.